On Friday, November 30, VCU celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Medical College of Virginia merging with the Richmond Professional Institute. Centered around the theme Commemorating History: Challenges and Opportunities, this symposium featured a mix of panels, research poster presentations, and talks by various members of the VCU and VCU Health communities.

Multiple students from the Honors College presented in this day-long symposium. Representing Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creativity, Auctus members Amita Rao and Devina Thapa presented a poster created by Caitlin Cain and Michelle Nguyen, who serve as co-editors-in-chief of the journal. Anna Marie Rodriguez exhibited a poster on VCU's institutional efforts to combat local food insecurity, and Emily Furlich discussed the topic of student advocacy for LGBTQ+ issues at VCU.

Additionally, Bijal Rajput, Brenna Davis, Joy Ma, Madeline Doane, Matthew Helton, Neha Pondicherry, Phong Truong, Renee Beck, and Wyatt Booth—all of whom comprised the Humans of RVA & VCU pilot group—presented on their experience with the course and the Humans of RVA & VCU program. Following the presentation, they held an in-depth discussion about their topic, which centered on community in the RVA and VCU area.

Caitlin Cain & Michelle Nguyen at VCU 50 [View Image]

Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

[Featured in this photo, left to right-Amita Rao, Devina Thapa]

Emily presents at VCU 50 [View Image]

A Condensed History of Student Advocacy for LGBTQ+ Issues at VCU

[Featured in this photo-Emily Furlich]

HoRVA pilot students present at VCU 50 [View Image]

Humans of RVA and VCU: Learning from and with the Richmond Community

[Featured in this photo, left to right-Madeline Doane, Bijal Rajput, Brenna Davis]